Goosen to step up from dirt trackers
Johan Goosen is ready to emerge from obscurity and stake a claim to be once again a regular member of the Springbok squad.
Goosen, who has struggled to regain the form that saw him play four Tests in his debut year as a Bok in 2012, is on standby to take over at fullback from Willie le Roux against Italy in Padova on Saturday.
Le Roux, who injured his cheekbone against England at the weekend, remains on the team's 'doubtful list – despite scans clearing him from any fractures.
"We'll manage Willie during training this week, but he should be available to face Italy," team doctor Craig Roberts said.
Even with the positive news on the instinctive Le Roux, Goosen's name has been penciled in to wear the No.15 jersey.
Springbok assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher confirmed that Goosen is an option, should Le Roux be ruled out or 'rested' from the third Test on South Africa's four-match year-end tour.
"The last week or two he has been good, putting in the hard yards in training," Loubscher said of Goosen – who has made just one cameo Test appearance off the bench, against Wales in June this year, since a succession of injuries robbed him of game time and form in 2012 and 2013.
He moved to French Top 14 outfit Racing Métro this year, where his form caught the attention of the Bok coaching staff and earned him a recall to the national team.
"We worked with him last Friday, with the dirties," Loubscher said of the back-up squad on tour.
"If you look at his commitment in training he has been looking good."
The Bok assistant admitted that Patrick Lambie could also be an option in the No.15 jersey, but his form at flyhalf in the 31-28 win over England at Twickenham last Saturday makes Goosen a more realistic prospect.
"Last year Pat [Lambie] played fullback against Wales and he was really solid for us there, so he is an option," Loubscher said, adding: "We have had this discussion in the past – Pat is a versatile player and a world class player that can slot in anywhere.
"In training he has been looking good and it showed in his performance [against England] at the weekend.
"If you look at that try of Cobus Reinach, it was just pure brilliance by Pat."
* Meanwhile the team doctor, Roberts, confirmed that veteran prop Jannie du Plessis has been ruled out of Saturday's Test against Italy.
Du Plessis left the field in the Springboks' 31-28 victory over England last Saturday after injuring his hamstring and knee.
He went for scans in Padova on Monday.
"Fortunately Jannie's knee is fine, but the scans confirmed our suspicion of a hamstring strain and he will not be able to play against Italy on Saturday," Roberts said.
Golden Lions prop Ruan Dreyer will join the Springboks in Padova on Tuesday.
He was called up after the injury concerns over Du Plessis.
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